Sense of Humor and Survival

Question: Do you believe the crew did the right thing in abandoning the search for Mark? Was there an alternative choice?

This question is such a tricky one, considering the different perspectives that have to be taken into account. One, from the perspective of the man in question: Mark, and second, the perspective of the crew.

Let’s look at the situation from Mark’s perspective. He’s stranded with minimal knowledge about the location, he’s aware of his lack of chance in survival, and ultimately, he’s alone. Under these circumstances, anybody would sympathize with Mark. I personally do too. If I was stranded on an island alone, I would want my initial crew to attempt a search for me. In fact, I would most likely feel betrayed, if they didn’t. But then, we transition to the perspective of the crew.

In such a situation, it is important for a leader to realize that his decision will become his responsibility. If Commander Lewis were to make a mistake in order to save someone, who they aren’t even sure is alive, he would end up responsible for more deaths on his team. Just taking probability into account (of Mark’s survival), the right decision was to avoid risking the dangers of his remaining teammates. If I were in Commander Lewis’s position, I would have made the same decision.

So then, from a general view point, who would I sympathize more with? I would personally be more understanding of Commander Lewis’s decision. Despite, the abandonment of Mark, technically, his decision was what kept the others alive. It’s not worth risking the lives of others, for someone who is most likely dead. These lives are not his to make such a bold decision with. Therefore, to address the final part of the question if there was an alternative decision, I believe no.